Royals to face Kamloops Blazers in first-round playoff match-up after tie-breaker game

In a unique pre-playoff tie-breaker game, the Kamloops Blazers took home a win tonight, solidifying their spot against the Victoria Royals in the first round of the 2019 WHL Playoffs.

The Blazers secured home ice for the much-anticipated bout at the sold out Sandman Centre in Kamloops this evening, determined by a small ‘goals for’ margin between the two teams – Kamloops with 196 total goals their regular season, and Kelowna netting 169 goals themselves. Otherwise, the stats are nearly identical! Both teams recorded 64 points with 28 wins – hence the uncommon tie-breaker game!

The first period of the match saw no goals, but the Kamloops Blazers going up 17-7 in shots between the two clubs. In true rivalry fashion, there was plenty of physicality despite the lack of numbers on the scoreboard.

Kamloops’ resident rookie Kyrell Sopotyk opened the scoring with a powerplay goal in the 2nd period, Kelowna tying it up not long after with a ‘rocket’ by Mark Liwiski.

An exciting third saw four more goals from the Blazers, two of them being shorthanded, and even one failed penalty shot attempt for the team! The Rockets made a goaltending switch midway through the period, though they still fell to a final score of 5-1 against the division rivals.

The Victoria Royals’ 2019 WHL Playoffs officially kick off this Friday, March 22nd here in Victoria at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, with puck drop happening against the Kamloops Blazers set for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the full first-round schedule below!

We will face the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the #WHLPlayoffs! Game 1 is this Fri, while Game 2 will take place on Sat. Puck drop for both contests is at 7:05 pm! #VICvsKAM